12 dog-friendly restaurant patios in Ontario, including spots in Mississauga, Burlington and Oakville

Warm weather means patio season but for those who don’t want to leave out their four-legged friends, a new list offers some of the best restaurants with space for dogs.

Over a third (36 per cent) of Canadian dog owners like to dine out with their pups and nearly half (46 per cent) say they do so weekly, according to new research from OpenTable, an online restaurant reservation service.

However, 62 per cent of dog owners reveal that the difficulty of finding dog-friendly spots has posed a barrier.

“Discovering dog-friendly restaurants or cafes can be a challenge for nearly two thirds of Canadians, which is why when releasing the diner-backed Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in Canada list we highlighted the 20+ dog-friendly spots nationwide,” said Matt Davis, OpenTable country director Canada.

Of those over 20 dog-friendly spots in Canada, there are 12 in Ontario.

Mississauga’s Posta Ital Bar Cucina is featured as a dog-friendly patio on the list. Located in the heart of Port Credit, Posta Italbar Cucina serves Italian cuisine and is home to the flaming parmesan wheel.

Dogs are also welcome on the patio at Harpers Landing at 481 Cornwall Rd., Oakville. This bistro offers pizza, pasta and burgers.

In Burlington, pups can join the family on an outing to The North Coal at 399 Elizabeth St. This casual restaurant serves bowls, burgers and finger foods, plus cocktails and draft beer.

Some restaurants have even created dog-friendly menus so you don’t need to share, including Toronto’s El Catrin. El Catrin has a selection of dog cookies themed as classic restaurant offerings such as the Hot Diggity Dog and the Dog Bone Beer.

“As a dog owner, having a dog-friendly restaurant patio is fantastic,” said Stuart Kemptson, director of operations at El Catrin.

“It means I can bring my dog along when I want to enjoy a meal out, which is an important consideration for pet lovers like me. Integrating a dog-friendly menu to El Catrin’s offerings creates a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone, including our furry friends, feel at home.”

Here are 12 restaurants with dog-friendly patios in Ontario, according to OpenTable:

• Amsterdam Brewhouse & Restaurant – Toronto
• Bardo Guelph – Guelph
• Crowsfoot – Kitchener
• El Catrin – Toronto
• Harpers Landing – Oakville
• Posta Ital Bar Cucina – Mississauga
• The Good Earth Vineyard And Winery – Niagara-on-the-lake
• The Keg Steakhouse + Bar – Windsor Riverside – Windsor
• The North Coal – Burlington
• The Royal Hotel – Prince Edward County
• The Winery Restaurant at Peller Estates – Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Treadwell Cuisine – Niagara-on-the-Lake

See more on the Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining list.